We all want bigger, more beautiful, functional kitchens, don’t we? Isn’t it the worst to fight the layout and constantly shift items from here to there just to make a bit of counter space? Or, my “favorite:” emptying the entire corner cabinet just to find that one baking dish you need for lasagna night.
Bleh! Who wants to cook in a dysfunctional kitchen? Not me.
I’ve spent years gathering ideas and implementing changes to make my kitchen the right space for me. And, I have a feeling some of what I’ve come up with will help you—my fellow Frustrated Cook—to love cooking in your kitchen once again!
Check out my four favorite kitchen hacks!
- Eliminate clutter with uniform containers
If your hutch or panty looks like a free-for-all, matching containers will tame that. For pantry items such as flour, sugar, cereal, oats, lentils, etc., buy some inexpensive clear containers to fill. This way, you can see what you need without all the bags and twist-ties. In the school supply aisle at your local Walmart, grab a few matching plastic or metal trays to put oils, vinegar, baking spray… Do you see where I’m going with this? To keep track of what’s what, snip instructions from boxes and create labels. - New cabinets
If your home is from the year 2000 or earlier, the kitchen cabinet configuration probably doesn’t make sense. I can’t be the only person who’s noticed that old homes have the oddest layouts… Further, if your cabinets are 15+ years old, it’s probably time for new ones. If you live here in Irvine, CA—hey, neighbor!—give Kitchen Cabinets & Beyond a try. They did an awesome job on my new kitchen cabinets, and I stayed within my budget! - Use your drawers wisely
I can’t tell you how many years I spent with a drawer maxed-out with only a couple oven mitts and some measuring cups. A whole drawer WASTED. Now, I have tiny hooks on corkboard inside my cabinet doors to hang these items. And, a free drawer for whatever I need! - Get stuff off your counter!
I don’t mean put things in cabinets, though. Unless, of course, you’re one of those types, who likes to search for the toaster when you need it… (For the record, my toaster is still sitting on my countertop). What I’m talking about are things like spices, knives, pots, pans, and gadgets. Here’s what you can do:
- Spices: invest in some magnetic containers and stick them to the fridge
- Knives: stick them to a magnetic knife strip above your stove and skip the knife block
- Pots and pans: make a pegboard organizer or hang them from a pot rack
- Gadgets: use your hutch or add some shelving on a bare wall to pace your fancy machines
You don’t need to cook in a dysfunctional kitchen. Try out some of my ideas and, if you live here in Irvine or the neighboring cities, redo your kitchen cabinets in Irvine, CA with the pros from Kitchen Cabinets & Beyond!
Kitchen Cabinets & Beyond | 2910 E La Palma Ave Ste B | Anaheim, CA 92806 | 714-630-0477